NCT06798701

Virtual Reality for Symptom Management in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Symptom Management in the Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Population Using Virtual Reality

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 28 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Roswell Park Cancer Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This clinical trial compares the use of virtual reality to standard care for improving symptom management in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Significant symptoms experienced by hospitalized HSCT patients include, but are not limited to, depression, tiredness, anxiety, drowsiness, lack of appetite, pain, and overall decreased quality of life and well-being. Virtual reality (VR) as an intervention can provide these patients with a much-needed escape from their reality and has proven results in clinical settings as a distraction therapy. VR technology targets the patient's auditory, visual, and physical contact/touch senses, and has been evidenced to improve depression, fatigue, anxiety, appetite, and pain. Virtual reality may improve symptom management in patients undergoing HSCT.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To determine the efficacy of VR for symptom management in the admitted HSCT patient population. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To examine the use of supportive medications for symptom management after HSCT while using VR. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate any limitations or barriers of the use of VR in the inpatient setting throughout the study. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients use the VR device to participate in applications related to relaxation such as mediation, art and nature, for up to 15 minutes, daily, while inpatient for standard of care HSCT. ARM II: Patients undergo standard care for the HSCT. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up after discharge.

Conditions

• Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
• Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Best Practice	Undergo standard care
OTHER	Interview	Ancillary studies
OTHER	Survey Administration	Ancillary studies
PROCEDURE	Virtual Reality	Use VR device

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-03-14
• Primary completion: 2026-06-14
• Completion: 2026-06-14
• First posted: 2025-01-29
• Last updated: 2026-04-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States